Colin Kaepernick files grievance against NFL owners

ColinColin Kaepernick files grievance against NFL owners

Byler Henry
Byler Henry

By Byler Henry

 

Colin Kaepernick has decided to take a stand against NFL owners. He has filed a grievance against the owners for collusion, filing his claim under the collective bargaining agreement and not through the NFLPA (National Football League Player’s Association).

Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem last NFL season and has been a free agent since the season ended. The Seahawks, Ravens, and Dolphins had mentioned bringing Kaepernick on their rosters as a backup last offseason, but other than that no other team has contacted him.

There are many other quarterbacks who don’t have the resume that he has but have gotten a job before him.

The Dolphins brought Jay Cutler out of retirement to be their starter after Tannehill suffered a season ending knee injury. Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone in Sunday’s game against the Vikings and is most likely out for the season if surgery is required. Brett Hundley is their backup and it seems as if the Packers won’t even bring Kaepernick in. I believe he could be a serviceable back up to keep the Packers afloat until the next season.

Colin has hired attorney Mark Geragos to prove his case. Mark has represented high profile clients before such as Michael Jackson, NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield, Chris Brown and Winona Ryder.

I commend Kaepernick for taking this stand, since we can all clearly see he is being Black balled. To deter other athletes from protesting and speaking out on police brutality and other African American issues, they are trying to make an example out of Colin. “Shut your mouth, stay in line, or this will be you. Understand me boy?”

These actions seem like plantation mentality. Many athletes are not able to speak out in fear of losing their jobs and endorsements.

However, knowing what is going on is one thing, but proving it in a court of law is another. Hopefully, Colin has a paper trail to prove his case. I’m sure NFL owners have not sent out a mass emails  to each other saying we will not sign Colin for protesting. However, let’s not be naïve to the fact and act like no black balling is going on. I understand that and I know it’s happening.

I hope he can prove his case because he deserves a job. Colin has taken the 49ers to a Super Bowl, and an NFC Championship the following year. He is a 59.8% career completion percentage going 1,011 for 1,692 with 12,271 passing yards, 72 passing touchdowns, 30 interceptions, with 13 rushing touchdowns. If this was any other quarterback, he would have a job by now.

His message has been diluted and changed over time. Many people have closed their ears and hearts to his message. He stated several times he is not disrespecting the flag or military but patriotism keeps being brought into it.

President Trump has called players who knelt during the anthem sons of b’s. During the violence in Charlottesville, he didn’t call one of those people sons of b’s.

Giants co-owner John Mara has stated that he has received many letters in the offseason from fans saying stay away from Kaepernick, and he has denied any Black balling going on.

In the end we will have to see how this plays out, but I hope it goes well. I hope Colin can prove that he is being Black balled, because he is and it’s not right.

 

About Carma Henry 24481 Articles
Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

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